Ok trivia hounds, help me out here

[WICKED LT1]

I am trying to find out what the very frist production date for the F-car was. We all painfully know the productions end date already. So, my question is, what is the Camaro and Firebird's birthday? I know it sounds a little silly, but bear with me here.



-Paul

[00 Ragtop Z]

One of my Camaro data books shows that they were produced in August 1966 based on the data plates attached to the cars, but it does not list a specific date. 220,906 Camaros were produced in 1967 model year. Introduction date was September 21, 1966, so it is safe to assume the first date of production was around mid-August in 1966. Not sure about the Firebirds

[99WS6TA]

camaro history

August, 1964. GM initiates the F-Car Program.

GM made the decision to go ahead with an entirely new program to compete with other automakers in ways that Chevy Corvair could not. Dubbed the "F-Car" at first, it would later become an automotive legend called Camaro.

August, 1964. Styling begins.

Chevy engineers and designers worked in conjunction with Fisher Body Division to see that the performance of Camaro did not take away from its styling. Computers were used extensively for the first time, as were other unorthodox methods. Transparent quarter-scale bodies, like the one shown, let engineers view stresses and part relationships.

February, 1965. "Mule" test drives.

In Camaro prototypes called "mules," as well as in competitor's cars, GM officials took test drives at the GM proving grounds in Milford, MI. Longer trips went as far east as New England, south to Florida, and west to the GM Desert Proving Grounds outside Phoenix, as well as along mountain roads of California.

February, 1965. First-wind tunnel test.

Chevy sent a quarter-scale model of the coupe, along with a staff stylist, clay modeler and Chevy engineer to an aircraft wind-tunnel near Dallas. Not much attention had been paid to aerodynamics prior to this test, but it proved successful. It was because of this 11-day test that the Z-28 was designed with a chin spoiler and a rear spoiler.

August, 1965. Camaro "face" finalized.

The distinctive wide grille and headlights of the first Camaro went through several changes before getting the official sign-off. Early designs borrowed from Super Nova, among others.

Date unknown. Camaro fastback.

Chevy stylists optimistically mocked up this fastback version of Camaro to compete with Ford Mustang 2 + 2. The car never went into production.

June, 1966. The Camaro name.

Just weeks before production began, the name "Camaro" was decided on. General Manager Elliott M. "Pete" Estes announced the name publicly, quipping, "I went into a closet, shut the door and came out with the name." Camaro is French for "comrade, pal, or chum," according to an obscure 1935 French-to-English dictionary.

September 21, 1966. Camaro for sale.

The 1967 Camaro hit dealer showrooms and was eagerly accepted by the public. The basic sport coupe had a standard six-cylinder engine and three-speed manual transmission with a base price of only $2,466. More than 80 options, including a V-8 engine, SS-350 Package and RS Package, among others, were available, which brought the price of delivered cars to over $3,500.

September, 1966. Camaro: The Movie.

To help launch the new car, Chevy put together an hour-and-a-half long movie. In color, the movie, The Camaro, was narrated by cartoonist Milton Caniff and told the story of the F-Car. It was shown extensively in Detroit theaters and on television, and featured cameo appearances by GM staffers Dave Holls, Don McPherson, Alex Mair and Bob Lund.

September, 1966. Camaro: The Play.

An elaborate stage revue called Off Broadway was performed by four different road companies throughout 25 U.S. and Canadian cities. Its purpose: To promote awareness of Camaro. It featured a small orchestra, dancers, a chorus and, as centerpieces, a '67 coupe and convertible. Automotive News called Off Broadway, "... some of the fanciest, gaudiest and costliest entertainment ever to hit the boards."

September, 1966. Camaro: The Clothing.

Perhaps the most unlikely of Camaro promotions was a line of women's fashions by a New York designer. Known as the Camaro Collection, the dresses were available in 450 shops and cost between $20 and $40. Who knows? This may have set precedent for the stylish houndstooth trim inserts in the '68 model.

May, 1967. Indy 500® Pace Car.

In just its first production year, Camaro was recognized for its performance and style when selected as Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500®, the first of four times Camaro would be so honored. In all, 100 or so Camaro pace car replicas were made, most of them SS-350s with the Powerglide® automatic transmission.

1967. The Penske Era.

After losing races early in the year due to handling problems, Roger Penske's new Camaro Z-28, won its first Trans-Am race, in Marlboro, Md. Chevy engineers, along with Penske's team, tackled the handling problems with computer aides and, finally, through trial and error. The Z-28 beat out Mustangs, Cougars and Javelins to take the checkered flag.

October, 1967. The Need for Speed.

In a Smokey Yunick Z-28, three drivers -- including Bunkie Blackburn -- set world speed records on the salt at Bonneville. The USAC\FIA-sanctioned event saw the Yunick Camaro crush old records with speeds upwards of 174 mph.

1968. Minor differences.

Camaro experts can tell you about the many subtle changes made between '67 and '68 model years. Here are a few: Square sidemarker lights were added to each fender. "Ventipanes" were deleted on '68s. The '68 had rectangular parking lamps instead of round, and the grille mesh was now silver in color, rather than black. An added option was houndstooth seat trim inserts.

May 1969. Indy 500® Pace Car Part II.

In its second appearance as pace-setter, a White, 1969 Camaro Convertible with Hugger Orange stripes and trim was used. The car had a 396 Turbo Jet V-8 engine with Turbo Hydra-matic three-speed automatic transmission and attained the required 120-mph pace lap speed without breaking a sweat.

1969. Mr. Popular.

The 1969 Camaro won its second straight SCCA Trans-Am championship, set the pace at Indy and was selected NASCAR official pace car for its eight major stock-car races. CAR AND DRIVER's readers' poll named it "the year's best sporty car," and Chevrolet sold more models than ever.

1970. The Next Generation.

The first major redesign of Camaro was ruled mostly by designers. And, the unique shape and style of the car made it an instant hit. One version of the new Camaro that (thankfully) never made it to production was Camaro Station Wagon. If it were produced, however, you would have gotten your groceries home in record time.

1970. Big Bad Z-28.

Camaro Z-28, in conjunction with an SCCA rules change, upgraded the stock V-8 engine from a 302cid to 350; essentially the same LT-1 engine that was in the Corvette that year. It blew the doors off almost anything on wheels.

1974. Whoops!

By mistake, the Z-28 decals on '74 models were printed with White as a background color instead of Transparent. As a result, only decals on White 1974 Z-28 models look as intended.

1974. Farewell to Z.

The Arab oil embargo of 1973, coupled with tighter federal emissions and noise regulations, made the future of Camaro Z-28 bleak. As designer Jerry Palmer put it, "Chevrolet took the position that we'd rather kill the car now before it died a slow, lingering death." Production ceased after that model year until 1977.

1974. IROC.

Penske Racing made the switch from Porsche to Camaro models for the International Race Of Champion series. Incidentally, Camaro won every IROC race that year. Then again, it couldn't lose.

1977. Z-Revival.

Due in large part to TV coverage of IROC, the popularity of Camaro once again soared. Chevy made the decision to bring back the Z-28, this time with more emphasis on handling, to accurately reflect the races.

1978. The T-Top.

When people think T-Tops, they think Camaro. The winter of '78 saw these grey-tinted, lift-out glass panels enter production. They were coooool.

1982. Third Generation. Third Indy 500®.

For the third time ever and the first time in 12 years, Camaro underwent a major redesign. The results were a success as Camaro was selected to pace the Indianapolis 500, also for the third time. The Z-28 was fully-loaded with a twin-TBI V-8 and available T-Top.

1985. IROC-Z Package.

Minor exterior revisions were made for the model year and a special Z-28 package was offered, commemorating the International Race Of Champions.

1985. The Music Industry.

Camaro was immortalized in music when the neo-punk group "The Dead Milkmen" released their college radio surprise hit song, Bitchin' Camaro.

1987. Convertible.

Even with T-Tops, some people still feel claustrophobic. Never fear, the Camaro Convertible is here.

1991. If You Can't Beat ‘em, Join ‘em.

Camaro made its debut as a law enforcement vehicle, making it quite easy for the men in blue to track down Ford Mustangs on high speed chases.

1993. Fourth Generation. Fourth Indy 500®.

With a totally redesigned body and significant mechanical improvements, the fourth-generation Camaro debuted. Retained were the Camaro hallmarks -- a long hood, a short deck, beefy tires, a menacing stance and its reputation as a racer. Camaro was selected Official Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500 a record fourth time.



1997. The Big Three-Oh.

Yes, Camaro was 30 years old, and looking better all the time. The optional 30th Anniversary Package, available on Z-28 Coupe and Convertible, features a White exterior with Hugger Orange striping, white aluminum wheels and black-and-white houndstooth seating surfaces with available leather accents reminiscent of the 1969 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car. Camaro was selected to pace the Brickyard 400® at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in its 30th anniversary colors.

1998. New Look, More Muscle & All-American Attitude

Camaro’s new front-end design hints of its predecessors and sets high standards for aggressive beauty. Put your foot down and the 200hp, 3800 V6 responds with enthusiasm. The Z28 also grows some muscle in `98 thanks to the 305 hp LS1 V8 under the sleek hood. And back for 1998, the ultimate -- Camaro SS with the LS1 V8 pumped up to 320hp! Dramatic style, awesome power and all-American attitude -- there’s just no catching Camaro!

[Injuneer]

Firebird introduction date was February 23, 1967.